EVENTS

 Save the Date April 20, 2026
Official Launch of Next Generation Global Collaboratory, Inc. 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Hosted at Roosevelt House, Hunter College City University of New York (CUNY)
New York, NY

This exciting hybrid event will mark the official launch of Next Generation Global Collaboratory, Inc. Advisory Board

Hybrid Event (In-person & Virtual Participation)

  To foster a focused and meaningful dialogue, participation in this inaugural event is limited to invited guests. Key highlights and outcomes will be shared with the broader community following the event. 

 Advancing Workforce Pathways in Environmental Monitoring and Sensor Technologies: In partnership with the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), NGGC co-hosted a hands-on, hybrid professional development workshop at the Community Sensor Lab in New York City, engaging Career and Technical Education (CTE) and high school educators in applied environmental sensing and connected sensor technologies. Participants built Arduino-based air quality monitoring systems and developed practical skills in electronics, embedded systems, coding, wireless data logging, and real-time data analytics—competencies aligned with emerging workforce needs in Earth observation, climate technologies, and distributed sensor networks, including those supporting missions such as NASA’s NISAR. By equipping educators with scalable, classroom-ready tools and follow-on support, this initiative strengthens the K–12 to workforce pipeline in environmental and geospatial technologies. It also advances NGGC’s vision of integrating citizen science, open data, and next-generation sensor networks to prepare a diverse, globally connected workforce capable of contributing to environmental monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and resilient communities.

 President of Next Generation Global Collaboratory, Inc., Dr. Charles J. Vörösmarty delivered a presentation on February 23, 2026, titled “Next Generation Global Collaboratory – Citizen and Youth Science” at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Headquarters in Geneva, briefing the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Secretariat on NGGC’s mission and current directions.

Dr. Vörösmarty provided an overview of the GLOBE Program and its 30 years of accomplishments, followed by an introduction to NGGC’s expanding work in citizen and youth science. The session explored how NGGC’s education-centered, networked approach aligns with GEO’s global Earth observation efforts.

Participants included on-site colleagues Sabrina Wong and Samuel Amos, with virtual contributions from Kalamkas Yessimkhanova and Letwin Pondo.

Kalamkas Yessimkhanova briefed participants on GEO’s evolving Knowledge Hub, envisioned as a central clearinghouse for reports, metadata, data, software, and user stories across multiple sectors, including food security and environmental monitoring, with significant activity underway in Africa. Samuel Amos highlighted the GEO Communities of Practice, noting both their growing reach and current funding challenges. GEO representatives also shared updates on institutional strategy and thematic work packages, including application areas such as Water–Energy–Food systems.

An open discussion emphasized the importance of focus and impact. GEO country-level activities already underway in Ghana and South Africa were highlighted, and Africa emerged as a natural region for joint NGGC–GEO engagement.

 Save the date:

JpGU-AGU Joint Meeting, 24-29 May 2026, Chiba, Japan
Join presentation by the Conveners: Charles J. Vörösmarty, Rebecca A. Boger, Larisa Schelkin, In Partnership With:
Kotaro Tanaka, Ph.D., Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI), The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Tomohiro Oda, Mark Mocettini Shimamoto, Sachiko Oguma.  

Community science is a citizen-centered, trans-disciplinary approach that engages local communities in addressing environmental challenges such as air quality, water resources, and biodiversity. Its impact depends on locally relevant solutions and collaboration among communities, scientists, educators, private-sector partners, and policy practitioners. Interest in citizen and community science has grown steadily with advances in low-cost sensors and digital technologies. Long-standing efforts in this field include AGU’s Thriving Earth Exchange and Community Science Exchange.

 Save the Date

Join us at the UN General Assembly Science Summit, hosted by CUNY, on September 24–25, 2026. This international convening will bring together scientists, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to explore evidence-based solutions to global challenges. Sessions will highlight innovative research, cross-sector partnerships, and pathways for translating science into action. This gathering is an important platform for advancing dialogue between science and policy at the global level. It provides a unique opportunity to amplify the role of research in informing decision-making and shaping sustainable development strategies. By fostering collaboration across sectors and regions, the Summit aims to strengthen the impact of science on society.  Participants will also have opportunities to engage in high-level discussions, networking, and collaborative planning for future initiatives. 

More details will be shared soon — stay tuned!

 We are proud to share  that Dr. Becky Boger, Vice President of the Next Generation Global  Collaboratory, Inc., CUNY Professor, is presenting at UNEA-7 (the  Seventh Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly) in Nairobi,  Kenya. Dr. Boger’s participation at UNEA-7 highlights the growing global  importance of citizen and community science, sustainability, and  evidence-based decision-making in shaping environmental policy and  action worldwide. Congratulations, Dr. Boger!

 Please join us for the American Geophysical Union (AGU) GLOBE Town Hall on December 16, 2025, from 2:00–3:00 PM EDT.

If you are attending the AGU Annual Meeting in New Orleans, we would be delighted to have you participate in this special session. Find more information at: https://www.agu.org/annual-meeting 

Look forward to seeing you there!